BosMUN Blog

The delegate of Norway, a leader in the short-term impacts bloc, presents her viewpoint on the multinational corporation response to the crisis in Haiti. Delegates from countries and international organizations met at an emergency session of UN AID to discuss corruption and the effectiveness of international organizations in response to natural disasters like Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.

The delegate of France presents her view on the corruption of the Haitian government in response to natural crises and proposes a possible solution involving education. Delegates from humanitarian organizations and worldwide countries convened in the UN AID committee to discuss matters of corruption in Haitian government’s response to natural disasters.

The delegate of Indonesia taps the shoulder of the delegate of Israel, who is updating her working paper in response to the corruption of multinational organizations giving aid to Haitian citizens affected by Hurricane Matthew. Delegations of international organizations and countries met to tackle the issues of corruption in the Haitian government for funds in response to natural disasters.

Delegates of the European Council eagerly raise their placards as chair Christopher Brown moderates a caucus. There was not a dull moment in committee; after resolution groups formed, non-stop debate ensued over the most effective solution to the refugee crisis and surrounding xenophobia.

Grace Sauers of Laguna Beach High School, the delegate of Czech Republic, makes an argument against a resolution she thought overreaching to soverignty. Sauers, a sophomore, has flown from California to attend BOSMUNXVI alongside thirteen other delegates from her school.

Sponsors of the resolution entitled "Step One"—Poland, France, Czech Republic, and Iceland—debate friendly amendments before they present their resolution. With a strong belief that xenophobia is learned, not inherited, the group intends to convince countries that immediate assistance achieved through youth education and social media awareness campaigns is necessary to reach young generations.

Unlikely Allies: The U.S. And Syria vs. The World

Article by Delegate of Bloomberg, writing as the New York Times, Marisa Goolgasian

Today the United Nations General Assembly met in a special session focused on the prevalent refugee crisis. By examining the roots of this international predicament the committee hopes to formulate effective prevention and rehabilitation plans. Amidst all of the passionate debate and careful deliberation, a surprising- perhaps shocking –alliance has emerged. Although almost all nations are united behind similar initiatives, two delegates stand alone: the United States of America and Syria have unified in opposition to their fellow delegates and have created their own plan for progress, called the PEACE Initiative. The once-peaceful debate has quickly developed into an “us vs. them” scenario, an angry showdown between two very uneven teams.

“They’re both very power hungry,” declared an angry delegate who wishes to remain unnamed. “They are both stubborn in their opions which has some how brought them together, even though it makes no sense for the US, our resident ‘pillar of democracy’, and authoritarian Syria to be forming any sort of union.” This opinion is held by many on the committee who feel that the plan created by the US and Syria is lacking a crucial component: the toppling of the al-Assad authoritarian regime that has controlled Syria since the Arab Spring in 2011. These delegations believe that the only way to create true peace and stability in Syria, thus combating the immigrant crisis, is to overthrow the government all together no matter the amount of military force necessary. They contend that doing so will subsequently drive down domestic tension, creating a less extreme political atmosphere in which the Jihad movement and other forms of terrorism are less likely to strengthen.

On the other hand, the US and Syria maintain that peace does not and cannot come from gunshots. “We recognize,” says the delegation from the United States, “that the cases of ethnic ad political stability does not need to involve the toppling of the current government at the hands of western nations. That would do nothing but create more animosity and bloodshed.” The delegation from Syria was similarly disinclined towards foreign involvement, especially in the form of foreign militaries. “There is too much correlation between the al-Assad regime and terrorism right now. Fighting terrorism is not synonymous to toppling the al-Assad. What we want for our nation is political stability, and we are more than willing to accept help from others. However, turning against our current leaders and forcing a democracy on us is not going to stabilize Syria. What is more important is that we band together against terrorism at its roots by preventing Jihad recruitment.”

Although the evens in today’s committee sessions have unfolded in a way that no one could have expected, it’s clear that progress is being made by the General Assembly. Although the committee has found the al-Assad regime to be an immense point of contention, all delegates agree that they must unite in order to stabilize Syria, weaken the terrorist movement, and help the environment, all of which they view as imperative steps towards ending the refugee crisis and making our world a better and safer place for all.

Interesting Conflicts, Conflicts of Interest*

Feature by Delegate of The Guardian, Gloria Yi

Gaddafi’s cabinet opens window for open dialogues but instead closes it and turns up the thermostat. It was too cold.

“You are infiltrating our organization without our permission.” Libyans with Liberty, a civilian group that uses peaceful protest against the regime, burst in with a captive Italian spy in the first committee of the morning. The concealed writhing head gave no clues to his motives. Unable to communicate effectively with the spy, the cabinet resorted to throwing spaghetti at him to see what stuck.

Members of the cabinet were equally confused. The directive Spies Before Lies had only Libyan operatives engaged in espionage, so the spy couldn’t have been from within...could he?

As an ultimatum, Libyans for Liberty called for open dialogue; Gaddafi’s cabinet gave it to them.

With the large number of directives written simultaneously, concern for the lack of discussion surfaced after the most recent crisis update. One minister defended the directive-happy majority of the cabinet. “We’re fighting for our lives here, when we respond to a crisis. We respond in such a way because we owe it to our people,” he said. Few understood what was really implied under his frosty breath: “we owe it to ourselves.”

Having gone undercover into multiple committee sessions, The Guardian found divisions in the cabinet to be like any other: choose peaceful or violent means? take a local or international focus? pursue secrecy or transparency? think the chair a James Franco lookalike or not? It was too early to tell if the events of the day would actually unravel into an explosion of disagreement, but one thing was certain. Exposure to the g word that rhymes with unravel triggered unusually aggressive responses in the characters and increased their stamina.

An anonymous leak given to The Gguardian revealed underhanded drama as well. The forged evidence that was exposed showed that the Minister of Education was framed and that he was only guilty of organizing peace talks. The evidence was found much too late, but is helpful in questioning the loyalty of any given member in the cabinet. As the saying goes, justice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere.

The difference between repression and freedom seemed to manifest themselves physically in the room, as members blurred the boundary between motioning for mods or unmods. Why is it that “unmod” rolls off the tongue ever so smoothly (a Freudian slip perhaps…)?

Rolling past the mountains of “wholesome” intercepted crisis notes and the unknown whereabouts of the Minister of Health and the Minister of the National Bank, the committee is racing towards a climatic ending. Self interest and common good conflict at the very core of the committee, but the forces of history really hold the reigns.

The delegates from the Warlord room representing Soong-Ching-Ling, General Shi Yousan, and Teng Jei are discussing possible amendments to their directives. They had just received word from Crisis that their ally, Mao Zedong, was a traitor and were searching for a way that this information could benefit them.

The delegates in the Warlord Era committee are working hurridly as the clock counts down on the latest timed crisis. The nerves in the room were palpable as delegates realized they only had 45 minutes to create a feasible battle plan.

A crisis staffer in the Warlords Era committee gives a dramatic show to the delegates as she explains the latest crisis. The delegates were drawn in by the riveting performance as the crisis staff member got loud and in their faces.

Psychoanalytical Investigation of Model UN

Feature by Delegate of People Magazine, Hannah Hyde

As a third-party spectator, the intent lurking behind formerly attired children can be speculated as the following: a ritual sacrifice; lucrative custom, or “look good on a résumé” as mandated by parents. Considering the grandiose amount of axe-body spray lingering in the air, it is viable to assume that the purpose may pertain to the desecration of the olfactory sense. Meticulous observation shall note that these formerly-attired children congregate in circles for an extended period of time for what appears to be the exchange of “snapchats” and heated remarks regarding a G.O.A.T; this eccentric behavior is possibly catalyzed by exacerbated adolescent hormones. Shortly following, these children, or delegates as later discovered, stand under the glare of unflattering, fluorescent light to state various facts, while completely topic-related and hard-hitting notes are passed between delegates. This persists for several minutes, until another person, presumably in a pantsuit, bangs a blunt, wooden object on the table. Judging from the immediate solemnity instilled into each delegate, it can be concluded that this wooden object equates to totalitarian power held by the person in possession of it. An external stimulus motivating these delegates is an incentive, commonly known as “awards.” At the prospect of winning one, they transform from teenagers still ordering off of the kid’s menu at a restaurant into power-hungry politicians with the capability of 1st degree murder. Following stout observation, it can be effectively surmised that these bizarre proceedings comprise an ancient form of barbaric sport necessitated by a bloodthirst to add a line to a résumé. However, upon further investigation it has become known that this vicious sport is what is known as "Model UN".

Counteracting Xenophobia, European Style

Story by Delegate of National Public Radio, Isaiah Winnettknoy

Hello and welcome, you’re listening to NPR, and I’m Isaiah Winnettknoy reporting from the Council of Europe. I’ll be sitting in on this debate and asking key questions & some of the important delegates as their strategies to counter a long-term problem in Europe, Xenophobia. Xenophobia, or “intense or irrational fear of other people based on their country of origin, (Merriam Webster) has been seen all over Europe throughout history, and during the Refugee Crisis in the modern day is no different.

But a particular alliance of European powers, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Norway, and Spain has shone important light on the subject of Xenophobia and refugees with their plan, RISE. I spoke with Alex Noe, representative of the United Kingdom. He tells us, “The plan speaks for itself, instead of forcing beliefs down Europe’s throat, it shows the potential of the refugees so people can come to the conclusion themselves.” Delegate of Spain, James Dunn also elaborated on RISE. “The main point of this is to prove to the European People refugees aren’t bad, they aren’t going to steal their jobs. We’re going to prove that these fears Europeans have about refugees aren’t actually founded. Because that’s the root of Xenophobia, fear.”

On progress the bill will introduce, James continues, “our goal to fund education, to fund housing, to basically help refugees become parts of the European economy.” But with all ideas come differing ones, and the main competition seems to be a bill, spearheaded by Belgium and Ireland. But the team at RISE has outlined reasons why their bill is superior. James Dunn explains, “The main difference between the two is that they believe they can bring about the social change we desire by forcing countries to take in refugees and accept these policies. Forcing free education, forcing these countries to accept refugee policies sounds great in principle, but all it’s going to do is create a more reactionary state, and that’s what we want to get away from.” This point is extremely important, because forcing beliefs too harshly could disrupt and ruin the whole progress.

RISE’s plan sounds like a logical and subtle one, but Belgium and Ireland feel that their bill, AAA, is sturdier and better suits the situation. I interviewed Irish delegate Sophia Ramcharitur on her creation. “Triple A stands for Aid, Awareness, and Adaptation. We’re focusing a lot on the integration of refugees. The main threats are family verification, border transparency, and mental health of refugees.” She also mentioned that “Europeans need to uphold refugees’ human rights,” which is easier said than done to maintain. Another this I noticed were many amendments and strikethroughs made to the AAA bill, s it’s unclear how much of the original bill will be left. But ultimately, it will be this convention of diversely opinionated people who decide the fate of this controversial subject. This has been Isaiah Winnettknoy from the Council of Europe, for NPR.

Who are BosMUN XVI’s delegates?

Jarrett Chambers from Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey

Interesting Fact: Recently, Jarret snuck into the first row of an NHL game (Bruins vs. Sharks) with his friends.

Best Moment from BosMUN XVI: Chilling in the hotel room with his “bros”.

Colton Deluca from Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey

Interesting Fact: He started a go fund me page for Clarence, a homeless man who needs to get to South Carolina.

Best Moment from BosMUN XVI: When I interviewed him.

Fee Pelz from High Mowing School in New Hampshire.

Interesting Fact: She was in a theatre show about the end of the world.

Best Moment from BosMUN XVI: She has enjoyed staying in the hotel and meeting new people.

Jack Johnson from Nauset Regional High School in Eastham, Massachusetts

Interesting Fact: He is really good at swimming.

Best Moment from BosMUN XVI: His favorite moment was listening to the professor speak at opening ceremonies.

Sonja Bergquist from Nauset Regional High School in Eastham, Massachusetts.

Interesting Fact: She was in Alaska for a month this past summer.

Best Moment from BosMUN XVI: She thought it was interesting to see how everyone’s ideas came together to create resolutions. (Her friend seemed to think her favorite moment was spending time with him!)

Ronan McCarthy from Beaver Country Day in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

Interesting Fact: One time, he was swimming in the ocean in Bermuda, when his cousin decided to throw food in the water near him. This made all the fish surround him and Ronan had to defend himself from the fish.

Best Moment from BosMUN XVI: The weather

Erin Spiess from New Canaan High School in Connecticut.

Interesting Fact: She broke the record at an adventure park for shortest person to ever complete the black diamond ziplining adventure.

Best Moment from BosMUN XVI: Getting the Secretary-General to allow Press Corps to go into specialized and crisis committees.

I hope everyone had a great BosMUN XVI and got to learn a little bit more about the people they might be referring to as a country!

Here's The thermo-status

European Council kept it cool(ish) at 71 degrees. Delegates were eager to solve the refugee crisis in such a moderate environment.

It was a bit warmer in the Vienna Committee.

Even though we are in Boston, the thermostat in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank went by Celsius, 22.5 to be exact. They kept it at a moderate 72.5 Fahrenheit - perfect for combatting the chilly weather outside.

Smiling though the pain of the unknown, delegates of the World Health Organization had little idea of the temperature in their room. Although a breeze was evident, the thermostat was off. Still, this resolution group was unstoppable in their pursuit of better worldwide healthcare.

Warmth - the quality, state, or sensation of being warm. That word describes the UNAID Committee.